NAIROBI, Kenya-Google just dropped a game-changer at its Google I/O 2024 developer conference: a new way to discover and re-engage with Android apps without even opening the Play Store.
It’s all about making sure you don’t miss out on the coolest features and deals from your favorite apps.
Already, big names like Spotify, Pinterest, Tumblr, TikTok, and Shopify are on board to test this new vibe.
Here’s the lowdown: Google’s Engage SDK is an invite-only tool that helps developers bring you back to their apps by showing off their best content, promos, and deals right on your phone.
Mekka Okereke, the GM for apps at Google Play, shared the details during a developer session at I/O.
“This new surface will automatically organize the best and most prevalent content from apps already installed by users on their Android phone,” Okereke explained.
Think of it as a personalized feed that brings together the hottest content from your apps, almost like a TikTok-style scroll but for everything on your phone.So what exactly is this new “surface”? Google’s keeping it a bit mysterious for now, but we know it’s exclusive to Android devices.
From this Engage surface, you can dive straight into specific parts of an app with deep links, making it super easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Spotify is still figuring out the best way to use the Engage SDK but plans to roll it out across all Android devices.
Tumblr’s COO, Zandy Ring, is pumped about the potential: “Google’s Engage SDK is great for Tumblr because our community is unmistakably unique in how they express themselves. Integration with Engage is like opening a two-lane highway that will bridge communities in a natural way.”
But it’s not just about reminding you what you love doing in an app.
This new feature is all about action – pushing you to snag those sweet deals and personalized recommendations. Plus, it’ll even suggest new apps with killer content you haven’t tried yet.
